I do not own Maximum Ride... Nudge is mine, as is Golden, as is...everything else I own. Give me a break, will ya?

I love anyone who reviews and I will give you virtual cookies and emo piñatas...YAY!!!!!

We left early the next morning. Max left a note for Dr. Martinez and Ella, we filled our bags with cookies and clothes, and we were off.

I can't adequately describe how it feels to fly, especially with the early morning wind behind you and the world waking up below you. You just let go of everything and let your heart swell with the breeze. Your brain just shuts down and you feel invincible, like nothing bad could happen.

I needed to get out of my own mind. Doesn't everybody? This was just what I needed to clear my brain, to escape the memories that Dr. Martinez's house brought on.

"How do you feel?" Iggy asked, smiling in my direction. "Never better," I grinned and dove down, wings in, before spreading them out to catch an air current. It's just about the best adrenaline rush you can ever hope for.

"It's a lovely morning, made even lovelier by you,"

"Wow...you've sunk down to the corniest level of all. I'm impressed,"

We continued to argue pointlessly about pickup lines for a while, forgetting all of the troubles that come with being a bird kid. That is, we argued pointlessly about pickup lines until those troubles came and confronted us right in the face.

We were somewhere above Idaho. An army of M-geeks flew ominously toward us. Well, so much for feeling free.

"Iggy, Fang, flank me on either side! Nudge, Golden below! Gazzy, Angel, above! Now!" Max commanded. We swooped into formation and prepared ourselves for the attack.

It wasn't anything much, just a quick fight to leave us bruised and tired. Annoying, but nothing we couldn't handle. I healed them up and we stopped down for some food and rest.

"Well, only about 8 hours to go. We're doing great," Max said. We nodded in agreement, still lost in the cookies. "We should get going again soon. I want to get there before it gets too dark."

We left quickly and resumed our trip, this time flying in formation just in case. Sure enough, another attack came pretty soon, and another. It wasn't tough competition, but what with fighting myself and healing the others, my eyelids were at half mast by the time we were passing over Chicago.

"You alright?" Iggy asked; his melodic voice concerned. "I'm fine. Just a little tired," I replied, trying to sound cheerful.

"No, you aren't. I can hear it in your voice,"

"Honestly, Iggy, I'm fine. Healing just takes a lot of energy out of me, that's all,"

"If you say so," he clucked. Mother hen much?

Please, no more attacks, I pleaded mentally. No such luck. Just as we were approaching the capitol building, right around midnight, another volley of M-Geeks came, and they looked angry. Thank god for adrenaline...

We all fought as best as we could in the current circumstances, but it was to no avail. I heard a metallic clank near my head and then everything was black...

Okay...I've been holding out. The real action starts next chappie, mkay!

Btw that little green button is just waiting to be clicked...............................